News & Events

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Wesleyan University Provost and Dean of the Faculty Beth A. Cunningham announced the appointment of faculty member Zahia Drici to the newly created position of associate dean of curriculum.

"Dr. Drici is an excellent teacher with a well-informed and broad overview of the university's curriculum," said Cunningham. In her new role, Drici will provide leadership in helping to strengthen programs in the curriculum, including overseeing the International Office and the May Term Program. "Dr. Drici's experience as an international scholar will be invaluable," added Cunningham.

Drici, who came to Illinois Wesleyan in 1995, is currently a professor of mathematics. A native of Algeria, she graduated with degrees from the University of Algiers in 1974 and 1975. She received a master's degree in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1979. She continued her education at Florida Institute of Technology, where she received a doctorate in electrical engineering in 1988. She remained at Florida to earn a master's degree in 1991 and a doctorate in 1994, both in the field of applied mathematics. Before arriving at Illinois Wesleyan, Drici taught at the University of Texas in San Antonio.

Cunningham noted that during her time with Illinois Wesleyan, Drici has served in a number of important administrative positions, including acting chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department and as the general education director. Her duties as director will continue under the new role. Active on campus committees, Drici has been involved in helping shape the University's strategic plan and review of curriculum.

"Dr. Drici is deeply concerned about how her students learn and how they feel about learning," said Cunningham. "She is creative in the classroom, self-reflective of her teaching and respectful of multiple approaches to learning. All this will serve her well as she starts her new administrative role." Drici will assume the associate dean position on August 1, 2009.